Vehicle suspension device



Sept. 29, 1942. M U ICH 2,297,591

VEHICLE SUSPENSION DEVICE Filed March 21, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mz/rewick Sept, 29, 1942. M. URICH 2,297,591

VEHICLE SUSPENSION DEVICE Filed March 21, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept.29, 1942. M. URICH 2,297,591

- VEHICLE SUSPENSION DEVICE I Filed March 21, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5Ali/c6 -yrz'0/l Patented Sept. 29, 1942 UNITED STATE ()FFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to vehicle suspension devices.

An object of this invention is to provide a suspension means for thefront end of a vehicle whereby the front guiding wheels are individuallysuspended so that they may have independent vertical swinging movement.

Another object of this invention is to provide a suspension means for avehicle which is of the knee action type and an improved steering meansassociated with the suspension means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a suspension means ofthis type which is so constructed as to permit the use of helicalsprings between the vehicle chassis and the suspension means.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a suspensionmeans of this kind in which the wheels are suspended rearwardly from thepivotal mounting therefor and in which the vertical swinging movementthereof is parallel with the line of travel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a swingable vehiclesuspension means wherein the upward thrust of the wheel caused by asuspension means of this kind in which the 3 wheels will be kept inproper alignment at all times and the vertical rocking of the wheelswill be in a vertical or straight line.

To the foregoing objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, theinvention consists of the novel construction, combination andarrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to andillustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein are shown embodimentsof the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variationsand modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of theinvention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail top plan of a vehicle suspension device constructedaccording to an embodiment of this invention and mounted on a vehicleframe which is shown in fragmentary form.

Figure 2 is a detail side elevation partly in section of the device.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line G6 of Figure 2.

Figure '7 is a plan view of one of the pair of suspension devicesremoved from the vehicle.

Figure 8 is a detail side elevation of the device shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the steering knuckle or armassociated with this device.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral IE] designates generally avehicle frame structure which as shown in Figure 4, is formed of a pairof channel members II. A transversely disposed stationary bar or shaft[2 extends between the forward ends of the channel members H and issecured at the opposite ends thereof to the channel members ll byclamping members [3, which are fixed to the channel members H byfastening devices 14.

A pair of swingable vehicle suspending arms l5 and I6 extend rearwardlyfrom the transverse bar or shaft !2 and a second pair of wheel orvehicle suspending arms I1 and It also extend rearwardly from the shaftor bar H2. The said pairs of arms are oppositely disposed. Each pair ofarms extend rearwardly at an outwardly inclination with respect to achannel member H. The arms of each pair are disposed in rearwardlyconverging relation from their forward ends. The rear ends of the armsof each pair merge into each other. arms of each pair are arrangedoutwardly of a channel member H The arm I5 is substantially shorter inlength than the arm l5 and the arm H is substantially shorter in lengththan the arm H8. The arm H5 at its forward end is provided with acylindrical bushing l9 which rotatably engages the bar or shaft l2 andthe arm l6 at its forward end has a cylindrical bushing or bearing 29fixed thereto and rotatably engaging the bar or shaft [2.

The arm I! at its forward end has fixed thereto a cylindrical bushing orhearing 2|, which rotatably or rockably engages the bar or shaft l2 andthe arm 18 at its forward end has fixed thereto a cylindrical bushing orbearing 22, which also rockably or rotatably engages the bar or shaft[2. The outer end of the bushing 19 engages against the adjacentclamping or attaching member I3 and in like manner the outer end of thebushing or bearing 2| engages against the adjacent clamping or attachingmember [3 The merged ends of the' so that the arms I5 and I! are therebyheld against outward endwise movement.

The pair of vehicle suspending arms and I6 are fixed together at theirrear or convergent ends and are also fixed at such convergent ends to aspindle fork generally designated as 23. The rear ends of the vehiclesuspending arms I! and 3 are fixed together, at their convergent endsand such ends are secured to a spindle fork generally designated as 24.The two forks 23 and 24 are of like construction, being shown in moredetail in Figure 6 and each fork comprises a vertically disposed arcuatemember 25, which is provided at the upper and lower ends thereof with apair of bearing members 26 and 21, respectively. A spindle bearing 28engages between the bearing members 26 and 21 and is held therebetweenby means of a king pin or bolt 29, which engages through the two bearingmembers 26 and 21 and also through the vertical spindle bearing 28.

A wheel spindle 39 is fixed to the spindle bearing 28 and extendshorizontally outwardly therefrom. An inwardly and rearwardly inwardlyinclined steering arm 3| is fixed to the bearing or sleeve 28, of fork23 and extends inwardly in the direction of the adjacent frame member Asecond steering arm 32 is fixed to the spindle structure 33 associatedwith the spindle fork 24 and is inclined inwardly and rearwardly in thedirection of the adjacent frame member A cup-shaped spring retainingmember 34 is fixed as by fastening devices 35 to the upper sides of thevehicle suspension arms I5 and I6 adjacent the rear convergent endsthereof and a second cup-shaped spring retaining member 36 is fixed tothe vehicle suspension arms I! and I8 adjacent the rear convergent endsthereof. An inverted stationary cup-shaped spring retaining member 37 isdisposed in confronting relation to the retaining member 34 and aninverted cup-shaped retaining member 38 is disposed in confrontingrelation to the retaining member 36. The retaining member 31 is fixed tothe adjacent frame member II by support ing members 39, which alsocomprise bracing members for bracing the upper cup-shaped member 31 andin like manner the inverted retaining member 38 is supported from andfixed to the adjacent frame member by combined supporting and bracingmembers 40. The members 34, 36, 31, 38, incline downwardly from front torear. The bracing members 39 and 40 may be formed integral with theretaining members 31 and 38 and a vertically disposed plate 4| may alsobe formed integral with the retaining members and may be secured as byfastening devices 42 to the channel members A spring 43 engages at oneend in the retaining member 34 and a second spring 44 engages at one endin the retaining member 35. The opposite or upper end of the spring 43engages in the retaining member 31 and the opposite or upper end of thespring 44 engages in the retaining member 38. The springs 43, 44 inclinerearwardly from this lower to their upper ends.

A bell crank 45 is disposed above the stationary shaft l2 and ispivotally mounted on a vertically disposed shouldered stud 46. The stud45 is carried by a cylindrical bushing 41 which is fixed as by a setscrew 48 to the stationary shaft |2 between the two bushings 29 and 22.A pair of washers or thrust members 49 and 59 are disposed between theabutting ends of the bushings, 2D, 41 and 22. A tie rod 5| is pivotallyconnected at its forward end to a pivot member 52, which is carried byone arm 53 of the bell crank 45 and which extends downwardly therefrom.The pivotal mounting 52 is preferably constructed in the form of a ballwhich engages in a socket member 54 carried by the forward end of thetie rod 5|. A second socket 55 is carried by the rear end of the tie rod5| and has mounted therein a pivot member 56 fixed to the upper side ofa steering arm 3| in the form of a ball or the like.

The other arm 5'! of the bell crank 45 is connected With the steeringarm 32 by means of a tie rod 58. The tie rod 58 is provided with asocket 59 at its forward end which engages a pivot member 63 in the formof a ball or the like depending from the lever arm 51. The rear end ofthe tie rod 58 is provided with a socket 6| engaging a pivot member 52in the form of a ball which is fixed to the steering arm 32 on the upperside thereof.

A steering mechanism generally designated as 63 is fixed to one of theframe members H on the inner side thereof and has an upwardly andrearwardly inclined steering column 64 extending therefrom in which asteering shaft 65 rotatably engages. A depending steering lever 66 isoperatively connected with the steering shaft 65, the mechanism disposedwithin the housing formed by the steering member 63 being ofconventional construction. A steering link 61 is provided at its rearend with a socket 68 engaging a pivot member 69, which is carried by thelower end of the steering lever 65. The forward end of the link 6? hasmounted thereon a socket 19 in which an upstanding pivot member H in theform of a ball or the like engages, the ball 1| being in the presentinstance carried by the bell crank arm 53 on the upper side thereof.

The bushings 9 and 29 are provided with lubricating fittings 12 and 73,respectively, and the bushings 2| and 22 are also provided withlubricating fittings l4 and 15, respectively.

In the use and operation of this vehicle suspension means, the wheels 15and l! are rotatably carried by the spindle members 39 and 33 and innormal operation, the springs 43 and 44 will be under compression due tothe weight of the vehicle. The suspension arms l5 and I6 are adapted tovertically rock under vertical movement of the wheel 16, the verticalrocking movement being effected by the rocking of the forward ends ofthe arms l5 and i6 on the shaft I2, which is disposed at right angles tothe line of travel of the vehicle. The suspension arms l5 and 6 and inlike manner the suspension arms and I8 comprise draft arms which trailfrom the stationary shaft It so that in normal operation of the vehiclein a forward direction, the suspension arms will be under a pullingstrain rather than a pushing strain. The inner arms I6 and N3 of each ofthe suspension members comprise bracing arm which are adapted to preventthe inward shifting of the wheels 16 and 11 with respect to the frameIll.

The suspension means hereinbefore described is of relatively simpleconstruction so that it can be manufactured at a relatively small costand due to the simplicity of its construction, it will not readily getout of order and may be readily taken apart when such operation isnecessary for repair or replacement of any component part thereof.

With a suspension structure as hereinbefore described, the upward forceon the wheels caused by the wheels striking ruts or projections in theroadway is in substantially the same plane as the longitudinal axes ofthe springs 43 and 44. Furthermore, the wheels will be kept in constantalignment due to the rocking of the suspension arms about a horizontalaxis.

What I claim is:

1. In a vehicle suspension means for a vehicle frame, a stationaryshaft, means for mounting said shaft at the front end of the frame, twopairs of rearwardly extending oppositely disposed outwardly anddownwardly inclined supporting members for the front wheels of thevehicle, the arms of each pair being rearwardly convergent, merging intoeach other at their rear ends and having such ends disposed outwardlywith respect to sides of the frame, a bushing carried by the front endof each of said arms rockably mounted on said shaft, a spindle forkdisposed outwardly in relation to a side of the frame and fixed to themerged convergent rear ends of the arms of a pair, a lower cup-shapedspring retaining element fixed to the upper face of each pair of armsforwardly of the merged rear ends of the latter and disposed outwardlyin relation to a side of the frame, an upper inverted cupshaped springretaining member arranged over each of said elements, means securingsaid upper members to the outer faces of the sides of the frame, and apair of helical springs each mounted at one end in one of said elementsand at its other end in one of said members.

2". In a vehicle suspension means for a vehicle frame, a stationaryshaft, means for mounting said shaft at the front end of the frame, twopairs of rearwardly extending oppositely disposed outwardly anddownwardly inclined supporting members for the front wheels of thevehicle, the arms of each pair being rearwardly convergent, merging intoeach other at their rear ends and each having such ends thereof disposedoutwardly with respect to a side of the frame, a bushing carried by thefront end of each of said arms, rockably mounted on said shaft, aspindle fork disposed outwardly in relation to a side of the frame andfixed to the merged convergent rear ends of the arms of apair, alowercup-shaped spring retaining element fixed to the upper rear ends of thelatter and disposed outwardly in relation to a side of the frame, anupper inverted cup-shaped spring retaining member arranged over each ofsaid elements, means for securing said members to outer faces of thesides of the frame, and a pair of helical springs eacn mounted at oneend in one of said elements and at the other end in one of said members,said elements being disposed at a downwardly inclination from front torear, said members being disposed at a downward inclination from frontto rear and aligning with said elements, and said springs incliningrearwardly from their lower to their upper ends.

3. In a vehicle suspension means for a vehicle frame, a stationaryshaft, means for mounting said shaft at the front end of the frame, twopairs of rearwardly extending oppositely disposed outwardly anddownwardly inclined supporting members for the front wheels of thevehicle, the arms of each pair being rearwardly convergent, merging intoeach other at their rear ends and each pair having such ends thereofdisposed ou wardly with respect to a side of the frame, a bushingcarried by the front end of each of said arms, rockably mounted on saidshaft, a spindle fork disposed outwardly in relation to a side of theframe and fixed to the merged convergent rear ends of the arms of apair, a lower cup-shaped spring retaining element fixed to the upperface of each pair of arms forwardly of the merged rear ends of thelatter and disposed outwardly in relation to a side of the frame, anupper inverted cup-shaped spring retaining member arranged over each ofsaid elements, means securing said members to outer faces of the sidesof the frame, a pair of helical springs each mounted at one end in oneof said elements and at its other end in one of said members, a bellcrank, means for pivotally mounting said bell crank upon said shaftbetween the pairs of supporting arms, a pair of spindles, each pivotallyconnected to a fork, a pair of oppositely disposed inwardly extendingrearwardly inclined steering arms each having its forward end connectedto a spindle, a pair of oppositely disposed forwardly extending tie rodsinclining inwardly from rear to front, pivotally connected at their rearends to the rear ends of said steering arms and pivotally connected attheir forward ends to the divergent arms of said bell crank, a steeringlever, and a link connecting the steering lever to one of the arms ofthe bell crank.

4. In a vehicle suspension means for a vehicle frame, a pair of spacedoppositely disposed outwardly inclined substantially V-shaped supportingmembers converging rearwardly, downwardly and outwardly inclined fromfront to rear and having their rear portions disposed in outwardrelation with respect to the sides of the frame, a transversely disposedshaft fixed to said frame at the forward end of the latter, means forpivotally mounting the divergent end of each of said members on saidshaft, a fork fixed to the covergent end of each of said members forpivotally supporting a wheel spindle, a pair of lower cupshaped springretainers each fixed upon a supporting member forwardly of the rear endof the latter, a pair of upper inverted cup-shaped spring retainers eacharranged over and aligned with one of the other retainers and fixed to aside of the frame, a pair of helical springs interposed between a lowerand an upper retainer and having its ends seating in such retainers, thesaid retainers being inclined downwardly from front to rear, saidsprings being inclined rearwardly from their upper ends, a bell crankpivotally mounted on said shaft and adapted to have one of its armspivotally connected to a steering mechanism carried by the frame,steering arms adapted to be connected to the spindles and tie rodspivotally connected to said steering arms and pivotally connected to thearms of said bell crank.

MIKE URICH.

